Edith Gardens facts for kids
Edith Gardens is a small, special place in Berrylands, London, where nature can grow freely. It's about half the size of a football field. This area is officially known as a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. This means it's a protected spot because of its importance for local wildlife and plants. It was given this special status in 1992.
Contents
What is Edith Gardens?
Edith Gardens is located in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It used to be a place where people grew vegetables and flowers in small garden plots, called allotments. Now, these plots are no longer used for gardening. Instead, nature has taken over, making it a home for different plants and animals.
A Special Place for Nature
Being a Local Nature Reserve means Edith Gardens is important for the environment. It helps protect local wildlife and plants. These areas are chosen because they have special natural features. They are managed to keep them healthy for nature.
What Can You Find There?
A small stream called Tolworth Brook runs next to Edith Gardens. However, this part of the stream is not very good for wildlife. This is because it flows through a covered tunnel, called a culvert, and has no plants growing along its banks.
Despite the stream, Edith Gardens itself is full of life. You can find a thick area of elm trees growing closely together. There are also older, tall trees like oak, ash, and sycamore near the brook. Most of the area is covered in grassy fields. The main types of grass you would see are oat grass and cock's foot.
Why Can't We Visit?
The entrance to Edith Gardens is on a road also called Edith Gardens, which is off Raeburn Avenue. This entrance is kept locked. This means that the public cannot go inside. It is a private area for nature to thrive without disturbance.
Helping Nature and People
In the spring of 2021, a group called Citizen Zoo started working on Edith Gardens. Citizen Zoo is a social enterprise. This means they are a business that aims to do good for society. They are working to turn Edith Gardens into a small nature reserve. Their special goal is to make it a place where people with disabilities can connect with nature. This project aims to help both the environment and the community. Find out more about their work.
